Friday, March 31, 2006

April Fools Day Comes Early to Sweden!



























This would be sad and pathetic if it wasn't so absurd. The photo on top was taken on March 29th. Had a whole "Spring Has Arrived" entry mapped out in my mind. It was a beautiful day, and the snow was melting away and all the Swedes were smiling.

Alas, I awoke this morn to find this was only a cruel hoax, an early April Fool's joke. As the photo on the bottom will attest Winter was just taking a little "breather" and had returned to powder the trees, hills and valleys with its vile snow. When taking the kids to school this morning, the smiles seen yesterday? Gone. The mood was somber. Even Erika proffered "Daddy, it snows too much in Sweden". Indeed.

The only solace is that on Sunday the kids and I will fly to FLORIDA! We will be joining Sofia who left this past Monday. To say I am looking forward to it would be grossly inaccurate. This journey has become a spiritual trek, me to my Mecca. The thought of standing with my feet in the warm sand is mesmerizing. You get the idea.

Florida photos coming soon!

Friday, March 17, 2006

Buona Vita




























Just back from Santa Catarina in northern Italy. The Alps were remarkable, and the skiing was wonderful. Add in the Italian culinary zest and you have a vacation which leaves an impression in your mind and another belt notch utilized on your pants.

With lift tickets at 25 euros a day and a very nice hotel for 75 euros a night, what's not to like? The only negative was our first day on the slopes which was incredibly windy. As in GALE force. This made skiing much more challenging, a sort of alpine Marcel Marceau imitation.

The remainder of the trip there was no wind, blue sky, and crisp clean snow. This led to an excess of skiing, followed by an excess of eating and drinking. Cycle repeated daily.

In order to avoid sounding like some ad for a lifestyle channel or a paid employee of the local chamber of commerce, I'll stop here. One final thought: If you have a chance to go to Santa Catarina and stay at Baita Fiorita (owned by Italian Gold Medalist Deborah Campagnoni's parents) - GO!